Ballistic implant system and methods

ABSTRACT

A ballistic implant system for use with humans, animals and other targets that require an injection. The present invention includes preferred embodiments that utilize bullets that can be used with standard firearms. The bullets include a payload delivery portion that will deform upon impact with a target. The delivery portion includes a payload that enters the target upon impact with the target. The payload can include substances such as tranquilizers or other drugs that will aid in incapacitating the target, such as humans or animals. The payload may also include substances for vaccinating or tracking the target, such as animals, wildlife or other live targets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This applications relates to the subject matter of provisional application 60319130 filed on Feb. 28, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to the subject matter of delivering a payload through the use of a firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is often desirable to utilize non-lethal alternatives in many situations. One particular type of situation is for crowd or individual control, such as in dealing with police and/or military actions. As documented in the article “Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness”, Firearms Training Unit, FBI Academy, Quantico, Va., 14 Jul., 1989, by Urey W. Patrick, approximately 80% of rounds fired in a police action do not strike the intended target as the ability to place aimed fire upon a target is overwhelmingly diminished in a crisis situation. This translates to the remaining rounds that do make bodily contact with the need to be as effective as possible. Thus, the use of current ammunition is discouraged in these situations.

[0004] The non-lethal alternatives are somewhat limited at this time. Previous non-lethal alternatives include bean-bags, rubber bullets, shock systems and other such systems. These normally require special weapons that are cumbersome to use and not always readily available. Also, these previous systems are not accurate for use against individuals at any distance. These typical systems simply are not effective in many situations.

[0005] Also, it is often necessary to deliver vaccinations, tranquilizers or other implants to wildlife and even domestic animals. This is typically done by either capturing the animal, which can be very traumatic to the animal, or by a special delivery rifle. For example, the typical delivery system is to use a tranquilizer dart that requires a special firearm designed just for that dart. These special systems require additional training, plus the expense of the darts and the special firearms. Also, these darts are not particularly efficient for use with firearms and thus are not particularly accurate.

[0006] There have been numerous prior art systems that have attempted to solve these types of situations. These typically include dart-type ammunition, non-penetrating surface contact ammunition, frangible bullets and other such non-lethal ammunition.

[0007] Examples of the prior art systems that have been previously used are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,616,758; 3,948,263; 3,982,536; 4,326,524; 4,351,337; 4,597,580; and 6,290,991. These patents are hereby incorporated in this disclosure by reference and form a portion of the disclosure herein. Other ballistic systems, including both non-lethal and lethal ammunition, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,528,662; 3,584,582; 3,650,213; 3,672,304; 3,754,509; 3,865,038; 3,952,662; 3,995,550; 4,091,736; 4,216,722; 4,419,936; 4,449,982; 4,597,580; 4,913,054; 4,942,818; 5,035,183; 5,074,857; 5,079,814; 5,450,795; 5,528,989; 5,565,649; 5,698,815; 5,763,819; 5,767,438; 5,861,573; 5,868,699; 5,880,398; 5,943,749; 5,965,839; 6,041,712; 6,250,226; and 6,308,607. These patents are also hereby incorporated in this disclosure by reference and form a portion of the disclosure herein.

[0008] None of the prior art systems are able to effectively deliver ammunition with the use of a standard firearm. There presently is a need for such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a delivery vehicle that can be fired from most standard firearms. This eliminates the need for special weapons that may need special training, that are cumbersome and that may be expensive to acquire and operate.

[0010] The system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention enables a payload of tranquilizers or other drugs or devices to be delivered upon deformation of the delivery vehicle or entry into the fascia. This embodiment may be used for crisis management or in dealing with crowds or in other environments where lethal weapons are not suitable. Also, this embodiment may be useful in vaccinating, inoculating or otherwise delivering a drug to animals, particularly wildlife.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system utilizes a delivery vehicle that can be fired from a standard firearm, such as a pistol or rifle. The amount and type of deformation is directly proportional to the bullet form and production methods, type of construction materials and their attributes, the use of a jacket, the amount and type of propellant utilized, the type of firearm used, and the location of the hit to the human or the type and size of target used.

[0012] The delivery vehicle is in the form a bullet that can be fired from a standard firearm, thus obviating the need for special equipment and/or training. The bullet includes a payload delivery portion that will deform upon impact to allow the payload to enter the target. The payload delivery portion could then be easily removed or dissolves harmlessly into the target.

[0013] The payload itself can be an incapacitating material such as a drug or an inert material that will incapacitate a live target, such as a human or animal. The payload may also be an inoculating drug for vaccinating, sterilizing, eradicating or other purposes. This would be particularly useful for treating wildlife.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the system will deliver an electronic tracking device as the payload. This is particularly useful for tracking wildlife, eliminating the need for capturing and tagging of wildlife.

[0015] The ballistic implant system can be manufactured by a variety of manufacturing processes. One preferred method is to have the payload completely and seamlessly encapsulated by either the bullet or by the jacket material. The bullet can be formed this way by swaging or by other techniques.

[0016] These and other features will be evident from the ensuing detailed description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing threads.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of FIG. 1 along lines A-A.

[0019]FIG. 3 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention using an open cavity and a vial to contain the drug.

[0020]FIG. 4 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention using an open cavity with epoxy cap.

[0021]FIG. 5 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention using a two part press fit.

[0022]FIG. 6 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing adjoined sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The disclosure of the descriptive embodiments are for explanatory purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be expressly understood that the disclosed preferred embodiments are meant for descriptive purposes and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Other embodiments using not only existing technology but after developed technology are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. From herein the payload may be referenced to as a drug only for simplicity of descriptive terms.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The system includes a delivery vehicle 10 for delivering drugs or other payloads. The delivery vehicle 10 is formed in the shape of a standard bullet. The delivery vehicle 10 includes a frusto-conical bullet 12 and a lower cartridge case 14 for the propellant. It is to be expressly understood that other shapes and types of ammunition could be used. The cartridge 14 can include a center-fire primer or rim-fire primer. The bullet 12 includes a center cavity 16 for holding the desired drug. In this preferred embodiment, a cavity 18 is formed in the nose of the bullet to create an expandable bullet. The bullet 12 is designed to deform sufficiently upon penetrating the fascia of the target to deliver the drug contained within the center cavity 16. The bullet, in this preferred embodiment, is formed of a material that can withstand being fired from a standard firearm, yet be easily deformed upon entry into the fascia or epidermis of the target. Additionally, in this preferred embodiment, the bullet could be formed from an inert material that will not be lethal to the target, and preferably will dissolve harmlessly or be easily removed.

[0025] In this preferred embodiment, the bullet is engaged together by a thread engagement once the drug has been inserted into the cavity 16. The bullet is then press-fitted onto the cartridge or engaged by standard manufacturing processes used in the assembly of ammunition. Also, the drug may be injected into the bullet cavity 16 after assembly, or at least prior to the assembly of the propellant.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the drug is inserted into the exterior nose cavity 18 and captivated on one or both ends by forming the bullet 12 or sealed with wax, epoxy or some other substance. Also, the drug could be contained within a vial such as a hard gelatin capsule that is first fitted into the cavity 18.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, the cavity 16 is open to the exterior, filled with the drug, and then capped by either an exterior shell, or by wax, epoxy or other substances as shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the bullet may be a two piece press-fit with cavity 16. An O-ring 22 can be used if necessary to ensure non-leakage and a tight fit. Also, an exterior jacket 24 may also be used to encapsulate the bullet and drug.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the drug is inserted into a cavity 16 that is formed when two or more bihalve sections 20 are joined to form the bullet.

[0030] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is to completely and seamlessly encapsulate the payload. The encapsulation can be accomplished by either the bullet material or payload delivery portion material, the jacket material or a combination thereof. One process for doing this is by swaging. Swaging is a process of utilizing pressure to form a material typically at room temperature. The bullet is formed under pressure but without heat with a high pressure die system. This could allow the payload to be completely and seamlessly enveloped by the bullet and/or jacket material. This process has been utilized in the past to form bullets, but not for encapsulating a payload as per the present invention. Other manufacturing techniques for encapsulating the payload may be done as well.

[0031] The delivery system of the present invention can be used to deliver most drugs, such as tranquilizers or other drugs for subduing or disabling targets in a police or military action. Also, the delivery system can also be used for intimidation purposes by using salt, or other inert substances that can be painful yet non-lethal or the payload may be a electronic mechanism or device. The initial shock placed onto the bullet upon ignition of the propellant may activate or mix said payload. Also, the frictional heat generated by the bullet material upon firing may latently activate or mix said payload. Further, the rotational spin imposed by the spiral barrel firearm rifling may activate or mix said payload.

[0032] In other uses, the delivery system can be used to deliver tranquilizers, vaccinations, antibiotics or other veterinarian supplies or payloads to wildlife or domesticated animals by remote delivery.

[0033] The present invention includes not only the above described embodiments but also include other embodiments utilizing a drug delivery mechanism that can be fired by standard firearms.

[0034] In operation, the preferred embodiments of the present invention enable a standard firearm to be utilized in delivering a payload in order to further incapacitate or inoculate a living target. Ideally, in some uses the payload may not affect the intended kinetic impact or injuring effect in comparison to standard projectiles. This target may be an individual, such as in a hostage, or in an emergency or civil disturbance or other crisis situations, or for animal control or any number of other situations. The payload is fired upon the target by a standard firearm, and enters into the tissues of the target where the payload is absorbed or otherwise delivered into the target.

[0035] These and other features are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, in combination with one another and also taken singly. These embodiments are provided for explanatory purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. The presently claimed inventions include other embodiments as well as future developed technology. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ballistic implant system, said ballistic implant system comprising: a bullet for use in a standard firearm, said bullet including a propellant portion and a payload delivery portion; said payload delivery portion having a cavity; a payload contained within said cavity; and a mechanism for delivering said payload upon impact of said bullet with a target.
 2. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for delivering said payload includes: said payload delivery portion being formed from a deformable material that allows said payload to enter a target upon impact.
 3. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for delivering said payload includes: said payload delivery portion being formed from a deformable inert material that allows said payload to enter a target upon impact.
 4. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for delivering said payload includes: said payload delivery portion being formed from a deformable material that allows said payload to enter a target upon impact; and said deformable material is easily removable from the target.
 5. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for delivering said payload includes: said payload delivery portion being formed from a deformable material that allows said payload to enter a target upon impact; and said deformable material is dissolvable in the target.
 6. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: a substance that will incapacitate the target.
 7. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: a substance that will incapacitate a human target without long term harm.
 8. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: a substance that will inoculate a target.
 9. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: a substance that will vaccinate a target.
 10. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: a substance that will vaccinate an animal target.
 11. The ballistic implant system of claim 1 wherein said payload includes: an electronic tracking device.
 12. A method for using a ballistic implant system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bullet for use in a standard firearm and having a payload delivery portion formed from an inert material that will deform upon impact; providing a payload in said bullet that will enter a target upon deformation of said payload delivery portion; firing said standard firearm so that said bullet strikes a target and said payload delivery portion deforming upon impact of said bullet with said target to release said payload into said target.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing said non-lethal payload includes: providing a substance that will incapacitate the target.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing said non-lethal payload includes: providing a substance that will incapacitate a human target without long term harm.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing said non-lethal payload includes: providing a substance that will inoculate a target.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing said non-lethal payload includes: providing a substance that will vaccinate a target.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing payload delivery portion includes: a material that is easily removable from a target.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing a payload delivery portion includes: a material that is easily dissolvable in a target.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of providing a payload includes: providing an electronic tracking device.
 20. A method for manufacturing a ballistic implant system for use with a standard firearm, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bullet for use in a standard firearm; providing a payload delivery portion formed from a material that will deform upon impact on said bullet; and seamlessly encapsulating a payload in said payload delivery portion that will enter a target upon deformation of said payload delivery portion.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of seamlessly encapsulating said payload includes: encapsulating said payload by said bullet material.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of seamlessly encapsulating said payload includes: encapsulating said payload by material from the jacket of said bullet.
 23. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of seamlessly encapsulating said payload includes: encapsulating said payload by a combination of material from the said bullet or said jacket material. 